Evan Foss
@scribblesonnapkins.bsky.social
Engineer, Public Transit Enthusiast, Concerned Citizen.
Personally : Trying to improve public transit in MA
Professionally : +15 years designing mostly electronics for hearing research.
Mastodon : @[email protected]
Personally : Trying to improve public transit in MA
Professionally : +15 years designing mostly electronics for hearing research.
Mastodon : @[email protected]
Pinned
2021 vs 2026 @mbta.com
fixed the column I made famous with help from @mayahoman.bsky.social and @bostonglobe.com
It was featured in one of board presentations in a list of projects that was made possible in less time by the creation of an internal engineering team.
1/🧵
fixed the column I made famous with help from @mayahoman.bsky.social and @bostonglobe.com
It was featured in one of board presentations in a list of projects that was made possible in less time by the creation of an internal engineering team.
1/🧵
Two idiots enter, two CTE cases exit?
Battle of the two most prominent transphobes in MMA
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will meet on May 16 in a five-round MMA fight at 145 pounds
It is being promoted by Most Valuable Promotions and streaming on Netflix
Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California
www.netflix.com/tudum/featur...
It is being promoted by Most Valuable Promotions and streaming on Netflix
Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California
www.netflix.com/tudum/featur...
February 18, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Two idiots enter, two CTE cases exit?
Reposted by Evan Foss
Incredible commentary from this Swiss announcer, who accurately characterizes the Israeli team as "Self-defined zionist to the core...who posted several messages in favour of the genocide in Gaza...calling it ‘the most morally just war in history.’”
Solidarity to a real one.
Solidarity to a real one.
February 16, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Incredible commentary from this Swiss announcer, who accurately characterizes the Israeli team as "Self-defined zionist to the core...who posted several messages in favour of the genocide in Gaza...calling it ‘the most morally just war in history.’”
Solidarity to a real one.
Solidarity to a real one.
It's performative un-wokeness because the next administration is just going to flip it back the other way. The result is the autoindustry who have long supply chain and production life cycles won't change designs over night.
This is actually a gift to power plant operators & plastic factory owners
This is actually a gift to power plant operators & plastic factory owners
I cannot fathom how anyone is supposed to operate under this framework.
You can't build a car without a standard to build to.
As an engineer, I'd be furious if I'd just spent the last decade+ building to a standard that's dropped out from under me.
You can't build a car without a standard to build to.
As an engineer, I'd be furious if I'd just spent the last decade+ building to a standard that's dropped out from under me.
“The U.S. no longer has emission standards of any meaning,” said Margo T. Oge, who served as the E.P.A.’s top vehicle emissions regulator under three presidents and has since advised both automakers and environmental groups…
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
February 17, 2026 at 1:06 AM
It's performative un-wokeness because the next administration is just going to flip it back the other way. The result is the autoindustry who have long supply chain and production life cycles won't change designs over night.
This is actually a gift to power plant operators & plastic factory owners
This is actually a gift to power plant operators & plastic factory owners
Reposted by Evan Foss
ICE killed a teacher in Georgia today when they chose to chase a man who posed no danger and had no criminal history.
Savannah teacher killed in crash by man fleeing from ICE
According to the Chatham County Police Department, Monday morning’s fatal crash was the result of a chase between Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a suspect.
www.wtoc.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Reposted by Evan Foss
This makes no sense, especially after purchasing new M8s for the line
Ugh. Like seriously, ugh.
And this is on Amtrak. How much are they overcharging ConnDOT for electricity to make them prefer running diesels?
And this will make Amtrak have to deal with slower, lower performing SLE trains! www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
And this is on Amtrak. How much are they overcharging ConnDOT for electricity to make them prefer running diesels?
And this will make Amtrak have to deal with slower, lower performing SLE trains! www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
Why Connecticut could pull electric trains off a rail line in favor of diesel
DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said the return of diesel trains will allow the state to save money without cutting services.
www.ctinsider.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:53 AM
This makes no sense, especially after purchasing new M8s for the line
Reposted by Evan Foss
One for the people still seething about the glasses #StarTrek #StarfleetAcademy
February 15, 2026 at 2:18 AM
One for the people still seething about the glasses #StarTrek #StarfleetAcademy
Reposted by Evan Foss
Even better: The Continuous Sidewalk.
Instead of forcing people to step down into the street, we make the cars step up into the pedestrian space. It prioritizes the person walking or rolling, keeps the path level for accessibility, and physically forces drivers to slow down.
Instead of forcing people to step down into the street, we make the cars step up into the pedestrian space. It prioritizes the person walking or rolling, keeps the path level for accessibility, and physically forces drivers to slow down.
February 16, 2026 at 3:52 AM
Even better: The Continuous Sidewalk.
Instead of forcing people to step down into the street, we make the cars step up into the pedestrian space. It prioritizes the person walking or rolling, keeps the path level for accessibility, and physically forces drivers to slow down.
Instead of forcing people to step down into the street, we make the cars step up into the pedestrian space. It prioritizes the person walking or rolling, keeps the path level for accessibility, and physically forces drivers to slow down.
I love companies like this. Like Diacro who still make the blades and parts for the WWII production board shear and brake that we had in my old lab.
My wife drove ~160 miles yesterday to pick up a secondhand floor loom that we are reasonably certain was made before we were born. It's missing one part but the company still exists, still makes the looms, and still makes the replacement parts for them.
February 16, 2026 at 5:00 AM
I love companies like this. Like Diacro who still make the blades and parts for the WWII production board shear and brake that we had in my old lab.
For anyone who might need it
Thread 🧵: Food Assistance By State/Territory
The document below lists previously established food assistance programs, searchable by state.
Each state and territory is also listed alphabetically in the thread comments.
Help will come and go, so pls use this thread to update info for your state:
The document below lists previously established food assistance programs, searchable by state.
Each state and territory is also listed alphabetically in the thread comments.
Help will come and go, so pls use this thread to update info for your state:
Without SNAP: Finding Assistance in Uncertain Times
Without SNAP: Finding Assistance in Uncertain Times Due to the completely preventable shutdown, the USDA says “the well has run dry” in regards to SNAP benefits. Beginning November 1st, SNAP benefits...
docs.google.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:39 PM
For anyone who might need it
Reposted by Evan Foss
They're going to let the only trusted—and trustworthy—part of the BBC die.
February 15, 2026 at 9:55 PM
They're going to let the only trusted—and trustworthy—part of the BBC die.
Reposted by Evan Foss
yeah anyone who thinks this is a great idea wants a five year old victim to have to choose if they want their relative to die
As a child protection professional, I can tell you the death penalty is NOT an awesome solution to child sexual abuse. Most children are abused by family members; they will not report if their family members will die as a result.
February 15, 2026 at 3:33 AM
yeah anyone who thinks this is a great idea wants a five year old victim to have to choose if they want their relative to die
This is how we end up being labeled costal elites. I mostly like Alon's takes on transit but they clearly never met a farmer.
I grew up walking distance to 4 farms and I was in the 4H. Farmers tend to mind their own business.
I grew up walking distance to 4 farms and I was in the 4H. Farmers tend to mind their own business.
The average rural farmer isn't on Bluesky. He's in his tractor blockading Ukrainian grain imports, or threatening to run over politicians who cut his subventions, or coming to the city to throw rocks at Jewish, Muslim, and black people.
February 15, 2026 at 12:59 PM
This is how we end up being labeled costal elites. I mostly like Alon's takes on transit but they clearly never met a farmer.
I grew up walking distance to 4 farms and I was in the 4H. Farmers tend to mind their own business.
I grew up walking distance to 4 farms and I was in the 4H. Farmers tend to mind their own business.
Reposted by Evan Foss
Kansas City, 1929. Assertions to the effect that “people preferred to drive” are guesses in the guise of explanations.
In cities a minority of motorists degraded streetcar service for the majority. KCPSC: “Practically the only cause of delay ... is ... motorists who block [streetcars’] progress.”
In cities a minority of motorists degraded streetcar service for the majority. KCPSC: “Practically the only cause of delay ... is ... motorists who block [streetcars’] progress.”
February 7, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Kansas City, 1929. Assertions to the effect that “people preferred to drive” are guesses in the guise of explanations.
In cities a minority of motorists degraded streetcar service for the majority. KCPSC: “Practically the only cause of delay ... is ... motorists who block [streetcars’] progress.”
In cities a minority of motorists degraded streetcar service for the majority. KCPSC: “Practically the only cause of delay ... is ... motorists who block [streetcars’] progress.”
Reminder: the American government can infact solve seemingly intractable problems like teaching people complex things when the defense department needs it to happen.
Ask yourself did your school algebra class learning aids cost as much as this welding video?
youtu.be/45-Ipl8E0bk
Ask yourself did your school algebra class learning aids cost as much as this welding video?
youtu.be/45-Ipl8E0bk
February 15, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Reminder: the American government can infact solve seemingly intractable problems like teaching people complex things when the defense department needs it to happen.
Ask yourself did your school algebra class learning aids cost as much as this welding video?
youtu.be/45-Ipl8E0bk
Ask yourself did your school algebra class learning aids cost as much as this welding video?
youtu.be/45-Ipl8E0bk
Reposted by Evan Foss
The thing that makes this extra funny to me is that I think the cat is about to say this is all moving too fast…
February 15, 2026 at 4:39 AM
The thing that makes this extra funny to me is that I think the cat is about to say this is all moving too fast…
Please help this post ratio the governor's announcement of a partnership with OpenAI.
I frankly find this alarming in the extreme- why partner with Open AI? Why a "big" announcement? There are many ethical and environmental concerns with the rapid development of AI, and your office knows it. So now constituents are left to wonder what is behind this? What next- land giveaways?
February 14, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Please help this post ratio the governor's announcement of a partnership with OpenAI.
Reposted by Evan Foss
I enjoy a nice mineral exhibit. This one at the Cranbrook Institute of Science has a nice barite rose from where we used to live in Oklahoma
February 14, 2026 at 5:32 PM
I enjoy a nice mineral exhibit. This one at the Cranbrook Institute of Science has a nice barite rose from where we used to live in Oklahoma
Reposted by Evan Foss
This is funny because when I want to reach technical people I use mastodon. I am just here to nudge public officials about transit. I throw in the odd engineering post to keep that credibility up.
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky
Synopsis. Social media has become widely used by the scientific community for a variety of professional uses, including networking and public outreach. For
academic.oup.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:19 AM
This is funny because when I want to reach technical people I use mastodon. I am just here to nudge public officials about transit. I throw in the odd engineering post to keep that credibility up.
@bostonglobe.com I don't mind paying for the news but can you fix it so that logins last more than a few hours? It feels like I am constantly having to log back in. I thought it was just me because I have a lot of devices or because I use a mix of operating systems but friends have the same issue
February 13, 2026 at 5:06 PM
@bostonglobe.com I don't mind paying for the news but can you fix it so that logins last more than a few hours? It feels like I am constantly having to log back in. I thought it was just me because I have a lot of devices or because I use a mix of operating systems but friends have the same issue
Reposted by Evan Foss
When it comes to making our streets work better, political leadership is the key ingredient. This is great news.
Mamdani to Resurrect Bus and Bike Lanes Killed by Eric Adams
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:58 AM
When it comes to making our streets work better, political leadership is the key ingredient. This is great news.
Reposted by Evan Foss
I complained to the city of Cambridge about the uncleared 66/86 bus stop in Harvard Square and it got cleared. A bit.
But buses still can’t pull to the curb so disabled riders still can’t board.
@marcgov.bsky.social @burhanazeem.bsky.social @votejivan.bsky.social
@councilloralzubi.bsky.social
But buses still can’t pull to the curb so disabled riders still can’t board.
@marcgov.bsky.social @burhanazeem.bsky.social @votejivan.bsky.social
@councilloralzubi.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 11:46 PM
I complained to the city of Cambridge about the uncleared 66/86 bus stop in Harvard Square and it got cleared. A bit.
But buses still can’t pull to the curb so disabled riders still can’t board.
@marcgov.bsky.social @burhanazeem.bsky.social @votejivan.bsky.social
@councilloralzubi.bsky.social
But buses still can’t pull to the curb so disabled riders still can’t board.
@marcgov.bsky.social @burhanazeem.bsky.social @votejivan.bsky.social
@councilloralzubi.bsky.social
The optimism we had back then was something.
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026...
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026...
Byte magazine artist Robert Tinney, who illustrated the birth of PCs, dies at 78
He became one of the first to visualize personal computing by painting vivid cover art.
arstechnica.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:20 AM
The optimism we had back then was something.
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026...
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026...